Frats celebrate mission of campus philanthropy with western theme
This week the Greek system has a chance to shed its party label and give back to the community while engaging in fundraising activities and community service.
Greek Week, from April 17 to 24, is similar to a homecoming competition to celebrate Greek life on campus, according to UW-Madison senior Noah Annes, vice-president of the Interfraternity Council.
Greek Week also serves as a reminder to the Greek community that it is a community and not individual houses and that we all work together ... and can really make a difference on campus,\ according to UW-Madison sophomore Becky Gonzales, vice-president of the Panhellenic Association.
A western theme was selected for this year's events, which include a scavenger hunt, educational presentations, a Ben and Jerry's night, a campus clean-up event, a ho-down, a cookout, a game day, a lemonade stand competition and sale, and an awards ceremony to be held April 24.
The most popular event, according to the Greek participants, appears to be Alex's Lemonade Stand, a national fundraiser for childhood cancer research founded by Alexandra, ""Alex,"" Scott.
Scott was diagnosed with cancer as an infant and began a lemonade stand at the age of four to fundraise for other children suffering from cancer, she lost her battle in 2004 at the age of eight, but her foundation has spread along the east and west coasts and is hoping to get the word out in the Midwest, according to Gonzales.
Sigma Pi Special Events Greek Week Chair and UW-Madison sophomore Brian Cho was excited about this event because he says there is more to Greek life than parties and ""this event is a testament to that.""
Each fraternity/sorority pair will build a lemonade stand to be judged April 21. Stands will be on display in Library Mall and will distribute lemonade and ask for donations April 22.
This year, Greek week has extended from the traditional Panhellenic and IFC chapters to include Multicultural Greek Council and the National Panhellenic Council chapters.
According to Gonzales, Greek Week is expected to be more successful than last year. ""Last year it really got a leg up from the past, so last year was kind of like a kick off to get more people involved,"" he said. ""We are hoping with something high energy like the events we have this week, we can continue that.""
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